Thursday, January 7, 2010

Glückliches Neues Jahr!

I've been in Berlin for a week now (!), so it's high time I updated this.
When I arrived in snowy Berlin on the morning of December 31st I was utterly exhausted and slept most of the day, only getting out by 11:45 pm to watch the fireworks outside.  Shawn and I walked about a block from the apartment to a bridge where a large crowd was gathered, not just to watch fireworks, but to set them off.  I never experienced fireworks in such close proximity and it was quite exhilarating.  What a way to ring in a new year in a new country with a wonderful man!

Shawn had just gotten back here from California the night before I arrived, so he didn't have time to buy food, and then the stores were closed until January 2nd.  There was not much to eat here until Saturday, when we got groceries at Netto, one of the two local discount food stores. Then I was able to start cooking! The recipe I used was dependent on what ingredients were available at Netto, so I made the Leek and Bean Cassoulet with Biscuits from Veganomicon (with many thanks to Matt F. for the book!).  Very simple, hearty, and delicious.


We played some Gin Rummy later on, and though I started out lucky, Shawn's experience let him catch up with me, so he proposed a bet: If he won, I would bake cookies. If I won, I could bake whatever I wanted. Hah! Good thing I love to bake. This was the outcome:


with chocolate chips in mine :)

Monday came and Shawn had to go back to work, but my sleep schedule was so messed up from traveling and sleeping during the day and having a cold that I haven't done much this week.

On Tuesday I went to Veni Vidi Vegi, the local vegan grocery store! I bought Vegetarian Shoes Para Boots, which I need to decide whether to keep or return. 
The pros: they are comfortable, sturdy, will keep my feet dry, last a long time, and I like them.
The cons: they take a long time to put on/lace up (I'm used to slip-on Vans, so this is nuts), they're expensive, and I might not like them when they're still in good shape 8 years from now.
Gah, I'm not so good with decisions like this.
Thoughts?

4 comments:

  1. I love what you're doing with your blog; having the photos makes me miss you and your cooking all the more, but it's also an inspiration!!!! Lucky for us, we still have the cookies you made before you left, so we're in good shape for now.

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  2. No boots with zippers available? I vote for boots with zippers. You have a family fan club.

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  3. Last night, I had dinner (merely vegetarian) with your parents and the Greens. Tonight I watched Julia and Julie. It looks as though you're living each of the Js' dream. Maybe you'll inspire me to c-c-cook.

    (Every time I edit my name to Elena, it comes back as CUNY--my Google account, I guess.)

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  4. Let's see some updates!

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